Kontakion

A kontakion (Greek κοντάκιον, kondákion, plural κοντάκια, kondákia) is a form of hymn in the Byzantine liturgical tradition.

The kontakion form originated in Syriac hymnography and gained prominence in Byzantium during the 6th century, particularly through the work of St. Romanos the Melodist of Emesa.

Kontakia have a number of strophes (oikoi or ikoi, stanzas; singular oikos or ikos) and begin with a prologue (the prooimoion or koukoulion). A kontakion sometimes has a biblical theme and may feature a dialogue between biblical characters. The only kontakion that is used in full length today is the Akathist to the Theotokos.

Etymology

The word kontakion derives from the Greek κόνταξ (kóntax), which means "rod" or "stick" and refers specifically to the rod around which a scroll is wound.

While the genre dates to at least the 6th century, the word itself is attested only in the 9th century.

The name is likely a reference to the fact that kontakions tend to be lengthy and have a large number of stanzas, thus metaphorically or literally requiring a great deal of "scrolling".

A hymn book containing kontakia is called a kontakarion (κοντακάριον; loaned into Slavonic as kondakar, Church Slavonic: кондакарь), but a kontakarion is not just a collection of kontakia: in the tradition of the Cathedral Rite (like that practiced at the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople) this became the name of the book of the prechanter or lampadarios, also known as psaltikon, which contained all the soloistic parts of hymns sung during the morning service and the Divine Liturgy.